SA REGIONAL TRAINS CAMPAIGN
HOME
2022 STATE ELECTION
what we want
HOT NEWS!
ARCHIVED STUFF
Xmas_2019_archived
2019/2018 archived
THE OVERLAND
2018 election
PODCASTS
RESOURCES
GALLERY
CONTACT US
(this page now archival)
Survey of current Members of Parliament and aspiring candidates seeking to represent South Australians after the coming State Election in March 2018
The following survey has been sent to you as an elected representative of the Parliament of SA, or as a candidate seeking election to the Lower House - or the Upper House - at the State Election in March 2018.
As the
South Australian Regional Rail Alliance
, we represent South Australians (both in regional and metropolitan SA) and those who run businesses (of all sizes) in Regional SA.
We are seeking your views on the refurbishment and revitalisation of regional rail freight, regional rail passenger services and rail-based tourist opportunities in regional SA.
We do not represent vested interests (beyond being concerned South Australians), nor are we paid lobbyists. Like so many others we have spoken to, or who have contacted us, (note a recent survey concluded that 87% of South Australians want regional rail re-instated) , we simply want to see the refurbishment and reinstatement of branch rail lines to regional SA.
It is also interesting to note that a number of 'big rig' truck drivers have contacted us saying that the lack of regional rail transport as a viable option means that they forced into long-haul service, taking them away from their families for extended periods of time - a lonely stressful existence which puts great pressure on them and their families - not the mention the constant fatigue they suffer which increases the risks of road accidents.
As a result, we have considerable 'reach' via social media and via our website
to voters who are very concerned about this issue and whose votes
WILL
be influenced by your concern and the action you will take on this matter, should you be elected on March 17.
WE URGE you to look into this matter in depth at our website:
www.saregionaltrainscampaign.com
- and particularly the downloadable documents on our '
Resources
' page which explain this issue in detail.
To give you an immediate 'heads up' however, here is the 'abridged version':
SA's regional branch lines were handed to the Whitlam Govt by the Dunstan Govt in 1977 as part of the desire by the Whitlam Govt to create an all-encompassing national rail service. The only other State to agree to this was Tasmania.
Twenty years later that dream had clearly failed, and Australian National Rail sold SA’s regional rail branch network to the American-controlled company Genesee Wyoming Australia (GWA) for JUST $1...
(that is no typo, GWA bought SA’s regional rail network for just 100 cents!)
Within the
legally-enforceable Contract
of that sale however, GWA was (
and still is
) required by that Contract to
maintain all regional rail branch lines in such condition that a rail operator could run trains on those lines within a fortnight of being called upon to do so.
But GWA has not met its contractual responsibilities.
The regional rail network
has been let go to ruin.
The photographs there (taken in just the past 4 months)
are evidence that the Contract with GWA HAS NOT BEEN ENFORCED
by successive State Governments and as a result, the lack of vital regional rail freight and public transport links
have only gone to accelerate Regional SA’s isolation, has stunted rural population growth, and has seriously retarded regional economic development.
Regional rail in the other States which did not hand over their regional rail lines to the Commonwealth in 1977 have flourished and regional rail has become a vital part of those States’ growth.
WE CALL ON YOU as a current Member of SA's Parliament - or as a prospective Parliamentarian - to declare your support for this vital cause for Regional SA.
We seek your response to our Survey
below
as a matter or urgency.
PLEASE DO NOT PROVIDE US WITH A 'ROTE' RESPONSE by your Party.
We seek your personal response
-- not that of the 'spin doctors'.
We need your response ASAP.
We will be publishing your response to our 'electorate' on our website and Facebook pages -- and we will be providing your positive (or negative, or 'no answer') response to the broader media. To encourage your response, note we are giving you a set-time to respond - after which your response (or lack of response) will be published by us.
NOTE: all subsets marked with a red asterisk
*
must have a response
PLEASE RESPOND BY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2018
Below is the time you have left to respond
Countdown to your Regional Rail response
Countdown
*
Indicates required field
My name is:
*
I am:
*
currently an MLC
currently a Member of the Lower House
I am seeking election for the first time as an MLC
I am seeking election for the first time as an MP
Please state the Lower House Electorate you represent or wish to represent (current or prospective MLCs please type 'N/A'):
*
I represent:
*
The Labor Party
The Liberal Party
SA BEST
I represent another Party
I am an Independent
If you represent another Party, please state which:
*
SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM THAT IT IS YOU WHO IS RESPONDING, please enter here the numeric code sent to you in our original email regarding this matter:
*
The questions below are 'multiple choice'.
Tick as many as you like.
Now let's qualify you:
*
My interest extends only to metro Adelaide
As an MP, I promote (or will promote) ALL SA regions
I believe 'regional hub' rail services could:
*
provide public transport access to and from rural SA
provide new freight transport options
I don't care, just use the road network
Due to GWA's failure to meet its Contractual branch-line maintenance obligations:
*
the State must resume regional line ownership
the GWA Contract must be terminated forthwith
GWA's Contractual failures need investigation
recompense should be sought for Contract failure
any action taken must not delay restoration of lines
To get regional branch lines working, I agree that:
*
Private sector investment must be encouraged
Expressions of Interest in be called ASAP
SA Govt retains ownership over all SA rail lines
The State must get reasonable line rental
I agree that the refurbishment of regional rail will:
*
help to revitalise Regional SA
foster rural and metro employment growth
New regional rail services will increase road safety by:
*
reducing heavy truck transport on regional roads
reducing dangerous road deterioration
reducing transport driver fatique
Refurbished regional rail services
*
will stimulate regional tourism
a new Barossa Valley Wine Train is a prority
I would like to make the following comments:
*
I agree to receiving marketing and promotional materials
Submit
gtag('config', 'UA-108743719-1');